Leather Industry and Exports

Introduction

Leather is one of the most widely traded commodities globally. The growth in demand for leather is driven by the fashion industry, especially footwear. Apart from this, furniture and interior design industries, as well as the automotive industry also demand leather. The leather industry has a place of prominence in the Indian economy due to substantial export earnings and growth.

The Indian leather industry accounts for around 12.93% of the world’s leather production of hides/skins.

Leather Export from India

India’s leather industry has grown drastically, transforming from a mere raw material supplier to a value-added product exporter.

• Total leather and leather products export from India stood at US$ 5.07 billion in 2019-20.
• During April 2019 to March 2020, the major markets for Indian leather products were US (17.22%), Germany (11.98%), UK (10.43%), Italy (6.33%), and France (5.94%).
• The total leather and leather products export during April 2021 to August 2021 was US$ 1.65 billion and for the month of August 2021 it was US$ 385.87 million.
• The total leather and leather products export in FY21 was US$ 3.30 billion and for the month of March 2021 it was US$ 317.77 million.
• During April 2021 to July 2021, products exported include leather footwear component (US$ 77.09 million), leather garments (US$ 102.06 million), and leather goods (US$ 357.81   million).
• In FY21, products exported include leather footwear component (US$ 197.59 million), leather garments (US$ 295.56 million), and leather goods (US$ 944.31 million).
• In April 2021, export of leather and leather products stood at US$ 289.57 million.

Council for Leather Exports

The Council for Leather Exports (CLE) is an autonomous non-profit organisation, which is entrusted with export promotion activities and the development of the leather industry in India. About 3,500 companies manufacturing/exporting leather and leather products are members of the Council.

Source:

• Directorate General of Commercial Intelligence and Statistics
• Council for Leather Exports
• Press Information Bureau